The Royal Mile - Just An Observation

**bjcustard** · 13th May 05, 02:17 PM

I was in Edinburgh last week, and walked the Royal Mile from the Castle nearly to Holyrood (drat the rain)... and while it pains me to say this, I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience. I preface this by saying I had money and was looking to buy a tank if I could get a reasonable deal.

I saw and went into the 4 or 5 Gold Bros shops. All were full of what I could easily identify as "tourist" items a.k.a. crap, as far as their kilts, though I noticed they did have some 100% wool kilts that looked alright at first glance. They had lots of other things, most of which were just window dressing items. The shops were full of people, and I was asked at least once in each shop if I needed help.

I went into 4 "real" kilt shops (the Woollen Mill next to the Castle, Celtic Croft, Nicholson Highlandwear, and another whose name I cannot remember). And I was roundly ignored in all four. In particular, I knew from their website that NH had something in stock that I wanted to see. But for the life of me, I couldn't get anyone to help me. In one shop, the woman wouldn't even get off the obviously personal phone call she was taking...

In the end, I purchased nothing... and was left very disappointed in the experience.

So my question is... Is this typical with the reputable shops?

Just my $0.02. YMMV.

**Doc Hudson** · 13th May 05, 03:16 PM

Can't speak for Edinburgh kilt stores, but the situation is fairly common in other areas.

I've left more than one store loudly condemning the lack of service. When I do that, it embarasses my wife half to death.

**Niblox** · 13th May 05, 03:19 PM

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is one of the last places I would buy a kilt outfit (unless it from Geoffrey Taylor's, next to John Knox's house). Half (probably more) of the shops sell these ghastly "tourist" kilts that have made their appearance in the last few years, costing about £50 sterling and which are basically cheap and nasty skirts. The lack of quality in them is evident from the moment you even touch them.

There are plenty of reputable kiltmakers in Edinburgh, but try the classified telephone directory ("Golden Pages") - one of the best shops is in South Queensferry, a few miles outside Edinburgh - it's called Scotia and Caledonia Kilts, and I have dealt with them since 1985, despite moving away from Scotland twice in the intervening period.

Mind you, you may have to wait a few weeks for them to make up your outfit, but it is worth every penny. They also have a second hand shop there also, where I acquired a tweed day jacket for a very modest price earlier this year - excellent quality and it fits great.

Happy kilthunting in Scotland!!

**Niblox** · 13th May 05, 03:20 PM

...sorry, should also mention that they are extremely helpful and courteous, and with less crowds in South Queensferry, they are more likely to attend to you quickly.

**bikercelt1** · 13th May 05, 03:25 PM

I walked the Royal Mile in December. While some of the "touristy" shops were much as you described, not all the shops were. Shops like Geoffry (Tailor) and Hector Russell were quite the opposite. While the sales people didn't approach like they do here in the states they were very responsive to questions and once engaged were very helpful. I enjoyed myself very much and would have bought plenty if finances had allowed it.

Jamie

**Scotus** · 13th May 05, 03:38 PM

Sorry Edinburgh didn't go so well. Edinburgh is one of my favorite places in the whole world. In all my trips to Edinburgh I have never had your experience. Yes, there are the tourist shops (stay far away from them). In particular, I found that Hector Russel went out of their way to be helpful in regard to kilts, measurements, tartan, etc. Geoffrey (Tailor) also has some friendly employees that are more than willing to help answer questions.

**Hamish** · 13th May 05, 03:58 PM

I 'do' The Royal Mile at least once every year and have never had a reason to complain of the non-aggressive service in Geoffrey (Tailor), which I make a particular point of visiting, or in Nicholson Highlandwear. I do not know the Hector Russell shop on that street because their branch on Princes Street is much larger and is the one I generally use. The majority of the other 'Kilt' shops on The Royal Mile are best avoided - unless you are an average, disinterested tourist. The Celtic Craft Centre in Paisley Close on the Royal Mile is usually quiet (no-one knows it's there!), but I have ever seen only one sales assistant there and have, in fact, caught her on the 'phone on one visit!

If I have to wait to be served in a 'quality' shop because they are busy I consider it par for the course - it is what we expect. It should be an indication that the customer has the full attention of the sales assistant who is with them. However, if any assistant leaves their customer to answer a ringing telephone, they should be sacked!

Personally, I cannot abide the Touristy shop style of service where you are pounced upon by over-eager and 'pushy' sales staff the moment you put a nose inside the door. I do make a point of visiting some of those shops, just to 'admire' the trashy tatt they have the nerve to display but, were I a serious customer, I'd be out of there in a flash given that style of 'service'.

**Graham** · 13th May 05, 04:36 PM

Thanks for bringing this up, we're just planning our Edinburgh leg of the trip. Now I have a couple more shops on my list.

**philibeg** · 13th May 05, 05:04 PM

My first visit to NH was very useful, I bought my garters there, and had a very interesting and informative chat with the staff. On my second visit however I was ignored, very rudely so, and not till just as I was ready to leave, did I manage to get the attention of the staff. I ended up buying my ｋｉｌｔｂｅｌｔ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ　ｓｅｒｖｅｄ．　Ｓｏ　ｏｎｃｅ you get their attention all is well in NH,but I admit it was touch and go the second visit....